Bomet Governor Isaac Ruto was Monday given a two-week ultimatum by over 5,000 Chama Cha Mashinani (CCM) delegates to declare the party’s stand in the coming August polls.
According to sources, Ruto was forced to back-pedal on an a decision to support the National Super Alliance (NASA) after a split emerged on the Kipsigis Council of Elders (Myoot).
A faction led by the Council of elders chair Isaiah Cheluget, reportedly refused to endorse NASA and walked out of a consensus meeting held at Brevan Hotel, Bomet, and did not attend a public meeting that brought together over 5,000 CCM delegates.
The faction was allegedly not comfortable with backing NASA in the region and felt that the ground was too hostile for CCM to support the Opposition ahead of the August General Election.
A spanner was thrown in the works after speculation rose that NASA co-principal Raila Odinga was expected to attend the meeting where CCM was to make its major announcement.
Raila, however, did not show up, and was represented by former Cabinet Minister Kipruto arap Kirwa who stated that NASA was ready to talk with CCM and had agreed to support its aspirants vying for seats in the South Rift and other Opposition zones.
The stalemate forced the Kipsigis Clans Association Secretary General Joseph Kimetto to ask the Governor to engage both the Jubilee and NASA coalitions and report back in two weeks with a decision.
Speaking at the meeting, Ruto said that he will continue to consult both NASA and Jubilee with the key agenda being the support of devolution and more fund allocation to counties.
Governor Ruto’s stance at the South Rift has seen him remain at loggerheads with Deputy President William Ruto, in what pundits believe is a supremacy battle on who has clout to control the massive Rift Valley voting block.
